Clearing the
Clutter of the Past
Hebrews 12:1
Therefore we
also, since we are surrounded by so
great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight and the sin which so
easily ensnares us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before
us.
For many of us, when we come to
Jesus, we are filled with joy and
anticipation of what our new commitment
holds. However, as we press forward in
this newfound faith, we realize we have
weights holding us back. Before we can partake and enjoy the
wonderful treasures from the Father’s
great treasure house, we realize how
important it is to deal with our past.
Before coming to Christ, our lives
were littered with all kinds of clutter
that must be removed. Whether it was
sexual impurities, failed marriages,
financial blunders, addictions,
unforgiveness, broken relationships,
divorce, emotional wounds, abandonment
issues, various abuses, disappointments,
or whatever, we need freedom from all
that oppressed. Jesus came to deliver
and set free those taken captive by
Satan and his devices.
Luke 4:18 “The Spirit
of the LORD is upon Me because He has
anointed Me to preach the gospel to the
poor. He has sent Me to the
brokenhearted, to preach to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind, to
set at liberty those who are oppressed.”
Much of the clutter filling our souls
are strongholds God desires to tear
down. We have been given spiritual
weapons that enable us to clear the
clutter or the strongholds in our lives
so that we can receive the healing and
restoration that God desires for all of
us.
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
For the weapons of our warfare are not
carnal but mighty in God for pulling
down strongholds, casting down arguments
and every high thing that exalts itself
against the knowledge of God, bringing
every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ.
All the
areas mentioned above produce wounds in
us, of which Jesus desires to heal. For
the healing to begin, we must be
courageous enough to open the wound and
take a good look at it. It is imperative
that we understand the destruction
wounds cause when we allow them to
fester.
Once we know
the injury, identify it, and where it
came from, we invite the Holy Spirit,
who is our helper, to deal with it. We
then submit to Him in the process as He
shows us through the Word what is
required. No matter how painful it may
be, we must embrace the healing balm the
Lord wants to use for our spiritual
therapy.
The book of
Hebrews gives us some great advice on
how to go about this.
Hebrews 12:12-13
Therefore strengthen the hands which
hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and
make straight paths for your feet, so
that what is lame may not be dislocated,
but rather be healed.
Making
straight paths involves different things
based on what your wounding may be. In
many cases, it starts with forgiving the
offended party. Then, it means doing
what is needed to bring healing and
restoration to broken relationships;
addictions involve seeking and
confessing the help you need to get
free. Finally, it simply means godly
sorrow with true repentance in many
cases.
Whatever your therapy,
allow the compassion and mercy of Jesus
to touch your wound today so that the
healing process can begin.
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